Villain Retirement

There was no point in staying on Earth.

If he was going to disappear from his sister's life; if he wouldn't be able to watch any new episodes of Italian Mafia Reborn since according to Hera, most of the people that worked on it are now dead— there was no point in him staying on Earth.

And so, when Paige suggested that he try and rule the world, a little tiny excitement was born inside Riley. Finally, he thought… finally he had something to do on this planet. Killing and torturing people was nice, but there was also no point in that since most of the humans were already down and beaten.

Most of them are probably already numb to death and pain right now because of all the tragedies that have been happening around them.

And so, he decided to rule the world. Everything was in motion— he easily found Tomoe Reynolds, who already had an army of supers under her. Supers that Riley was very familiar with… after all, most of them were his tenants back in the Guesthouse.

Tomoe made sure to gather only those that would actually stay and be loyal to him to the extent they are capable of. She told Riley that when she transferred the guests, she purposely made it so that they could escape.

And as is expected, there were some who tried to. Sadly for them, however, they were in Tomoe's domain— she killed every last one of them. And after that, Tomoe hid, and with the help of Warden, they were able to set up a new base.

Tomoe has been using all her time these past 2 years to indoctrinate— No. In her words, it was 'educate'. She spent the 2 years educating the guests about Riley's brilliance and how he was the true messiah of the world.

And then, very secretly, when she was sure that the Guests were completely educated about the Way of the Riley Ross, she sent them out into the world to amass more followers.

The Endless Dark.

Riley has an army and he could go on with his plan to rule the world whenever he wanted to. But then, Paige, Tomoe, and the others realized something.

He didn't need to rule the world because, in a way, he already has. If he went outside to a crowd right now and ordered them to kneel, they will. If he killed someone in broad daylight, people will just look the other way.

There was no point in ruling a world that already surrendered to you.

"By all accounts and contexts… I already rule the world, no?"

"..."

Bernard could really only look at his son for a few seconds, before shaking his head and walking around the large hall to try and stretch his legs. As for Riley, he just watched and patiently waited for an answer; just standing there for what seemed like a quarter of a minute.

And then, finally, Bernard's breaths started to whisper into his ears.

"Son…" He said, "There's a difference between conquering and ruling. You've won the world, but you're not ruling it."

"Hm?" Riley tilted his head.

"You decide their fate, and they decide yours."

"That is democracy. No one voted for me to be in this position, the people would have no choice but to follow whatever I say."

"That is tyranny, son…

…Ruling means the people serve you, and in return, you serve them a hundred-fold," Bernard then slowly approached Riley, "Their life is on your hands, and your life is on theirs. It is pretty much like being a parent— you take care of them, you nourish them, you bathe them, you make them happy. And in return, when you need them, you will be rewarded."

"Like a farm animal."

"That's…" Bernard looked at Riley for a few seconds, before letting out a loud sigh and shaking his head, "...Your mother really should be the one teaching you this."

"I agree, but I can't find her," Riley nodded, "Did you know she was a Themarian?"

"She's a what!?"

"So, you also didn't know…" Riley then let out a small sigh as he patted his father's shoulder, "...you were married to an old woman all this time, father."

"..." Bernard blinked a couple of times as his eyes began to move randomly; his breaths, slightly becoming erratic. After a few seconds, however, he calmed down and just let out a long and very deep sigh,

"It all makes sense now," Bernard shook his head before letting out a small chuckle, "I always knew your mother was special. Did you know that she was also the one who set up the rule of 'no spying' on family? Now we know why."

"It would seem there are a lot of things the two of you need to talk about," Riley sighed, "W—"

"No!" Bernard then suddenly kneeled on the ground as he clasped his head.

"...Father?"

"I… Doesn't that mean that…" Bernard started to grovel on the ground, "I… I cheated on a Themarian?"

"..." Riley looked to the side for a few seconds, before blinking and turning his focus back to his father, "I didn't think of it like that. Would you like me to kill you now, father?"

"..."

"..."

"No…" Bernard then stood up; this time, he placed his hand on Riley's shoulder, "This will be my last lesson to you as a father, no— as a man. No matter what happens, no matter how bad it gets…

…always own up to your mistakes."

"Hm," Riley nodded, "That is actually the very reason I am freeing you right now, father."

"Hm?"

"You can do nothing in a cage. Sister is very angry right now," Riley then let out a small sigh as he took a step back, "There is no possible way that I could atone for all the lies and deception I have done to her. But I believe it is not too late for you, father…

…I think it is time to make up for your mistakes to her. She needs you, father."

***

"I don't fucking need you. Are they letting everyone out of jail now?"

A few hours later, back in the Korean Shaved Ice store, Riley shocked all of the members of the Baby Crew by suddenly returning to the Academy, fully knowing that most of the people there made it clear that he was not welcome there.

What shocked them the most, however, was that Bernard was casually walking behind him.

Chihiro— Golden Fox was also there as she has been thinking of joining the Baby Crew ever since the whole House of Super thing happened. And now, not even a member of the team, she was already experiencing the notorious happenings inside the Baby Crew.

And so, right now, the only thing she could really do was watch as Hannah started… berating and saying all sorts of nasty things to Bernard. She looked at the other members of the Baby Crew— and they were just eating their dessert.

"..." Chihiro then looked at the other table, only to see Riley alone, watching and nodding to himself as he also seemed to be listening in on Hannah and Bernard's conversation. Are… they really just going to ignore that Darkdady himself is sitting near them?

She was still unaware of what really truly happened, but wasn't it just last week that Riley was being thrown all sorts of stuff?

"..."

"..."

Chihiro then took another glance at Hanna and the rest of the Baby Crew, before standing up… and suddenly joining Riley on his table.

"!!!"

Gary could not help but take in a deep breath as he saw Chihiro approaching Riley, but he couldn't really do anything but just watch.

"It'll be fine," Silvie whispered, "I don't think Riley has any intention… or has any motivation to hurt any of us."

Everyone knew she was right. Riley was really just minding his own business and not even talking to any of them— it was almost as if they didn't even exist anymore. Even Hannah, he only just glanced at her, before stepping to the side and letting Bernard do all the talking.

Was… that it? Was their connection to Riley truly severed now?

"So, you're Darkday."

"I was," Riley blinked a couple of times as Chihiro suddenly sat at the seat in front of him, "You didn't know? But you knew who I was when I was going as Paragon."

"Because I could see your eyes," Chihiro calmly said, "Once you introduce yourself to me, I can always see your name floating above your head whenever I see your eyes. It's… one of my abilities."

"Like a video game?"

"...Yes," Chihiro sighed.

"So that is why Gary likes you," Riley let out a tiny breath of amusement, "Did you need something from me, Golden Fox?"

"You just seemed… lonely."

"I am not, Golden Fox," Riley shook his head, "I am not even here. You're talking to a clone, my original body is… somewhere out there."

"...Oh," Chihiro could really only squint her already small eyes, "...I see."

"Are you not afraid of me, Chihiro?"

"Japan has a different notion of Darkday, they even have figurines of you," Chihiro sighed and shook her head, "You never really truly wreaked havoc there."

"Because that is where the main studio of Italian Mafia Reborn is, Chihiro. I try to avoid going there as much as possible."

"I see. You–"

"Good, you're all here."

And before any other conversation could continue inside the store, the bells of the door rang almost violently. Even Hannah, who had been ranting in front of her father and not letting him speak, could really only look as Empress stepped inside the store.

"I need all of you to come with me…

…we have visitors."